Skaggs closer to return after first rehab start

ANAHEIM -- Left-hander Tyler Skaggs moved a little closer to rejoining the Angels' rotation after coming out of his first rehab start on Monday without issue.

Skaggs, who returned to game action for the first time since suffering a right oblique strain in April, allowed two runs on two hits while walking none and striking out six over 3 2/3 innings in a start for the Halos' Arizona League affiliate.

ANAHEIM -- Left-hander Tyler Skaggs moved a little closer to rejoining the Angels' rotation after coming out of his first rehab start on Monday without issue.

Skaggs, who returned to game action for the first time since suffering a right oblique strain in April, allowed two runs on two hits while walking none and striking out six over 3 2/3 innings in a start for the Halos' Arizona League affiliate.

"[His] velocity was about what we expected," manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday. "Got the pitch count where he needed to be. More importantly, he came out of it feeling really good."

Scioscia said Skaggs' rehab assignment will now shift to Triple-A Salt Lake, where he is expected to pitch four innings on Saturday. The 26-year-old southpaw will need at least two more Minor League outings before he's ready to be activated off the disabled list, according to Scioscia.

"I think after his next couple, we'll have an idea of where he is," Scioscia said.

Right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who was shut down from throwing on July 7 after being diagnosed with posterior interosseous nerve syndrome, is also improving, though he still has not been cleared to begin a throwing progression. While Shoemaker said he still feels "minimal symptoms" in his right forearm, he's optimistic that he could receive clearance in the coming days.

"From what it sounds like, we just want to be as symptom-free as possible before we start throwing," Shoemaker said.

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons was named the Angels' recipient of the 2017 Heart and Hustle Award on Tuesday by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. The honor is voted on by former players and awarded each year to the active player who most represents a passion for baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game.

"I think Andrelton is a great nominee," Scioscia said. "I think all the subtleties that he brings that we see are as important as the spectacular plays that fans see. I think he makes everybody better. His head is always in the game. He's never taking a pitch off. He's one of the reasons we're excited about our future."

Each Major League team submitted a nominee for the national award, which will be announced Nov. 14 at the 18th annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York.

Worth noting

• Right-hander Alex Meyer will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday to start against the Nationals, the team that made him a first-round Draft pick in 2011. Meyer was sent down before the All-Star break after surrendering five runs over five innings against the Twins on July 3.

Ricky Nolasco, who had been penciled in to start on Wednesday, will pitch on Friday against the Red Sox instead.

• Right-hander Huston Street, who has been sidelined since July 5 with a right groin strain, still has not been cleared to resume throwing.